Medical Tests and Procedures

What is Very Low Energy Diet (VLED)? Low and very low energy diet options for obesity are a short-term approach where one or more meals per day are replaced. This approach is best led by the support of a dietician. Meals are commonly replaced with liquid products. This method has been proven to help with rapid...

What is keyhole surgery? Laparoscopic, or keyhole surgery, involves 3-4 small incisions (cuts) up to 1cm long in the abdomen (stomach). A small tube lets a camera and light into the abdomen so the surgeon can see what they are doing. All surgeries have some risk, but keyhole surgery is...

What is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder and gallstones by keyhole surgery. Sometimes, the surgeon may decide that it is safer to complete the operation by open cut surgery. The decision is based on patient safety and does not mean there has been...

What is criteria-led discharge? Many people find being in hospital a worrying and confusing time. Not knowing when they will leave the hospital (discharge) causes many patients a great deal of stress. Criteria-led discharge helps make sure your discharge from hospital is not delayed. It makes it easier to safely...

What is an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)? An oral glucose tolerance test, or OGTT, is a test that looks at the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. The results of the test will reveal whether you have gestational diabetes, which is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. All pregnant...

What is a white blood cell scan? A white blood cell scan is a test used to detect areas of infection in the body that may not be detectable by other tests such as X-ray, CT or a bone scan.   What do I need to do before the procedure?...

What is an ultrasound? An ultrasound scan creates a real-time picture of the inside of the body using sound waves. Ultrasound can be used for screening, diagnosis or to help with treatment. There are no x-rays involved in ultrasound scanning.   What do I need to do before the procedure?...

What is a thyroid scan? A thyroid scan shows the function and structure of the thyroid gland. It can give information not available from other tests such as ultrasound or blood tests.   What do I need to do before the procedure? Make sure you remember to bring any previous...

What is a sentinel lymph node? Lymph is fluid that escapes from blood vessels into the tissues. It travels in a network of lymphatic vessels that eventually returns this fluid to the blood stream. Lymph nodes are glands or filters found along these lymphatic vessels. They contain white blood cells...

What is a renal scan? A renal scan looks at kidney blood flow and function. It can give information that cannot be obtained by other tests such as ultrasound and X-rays.   What do I need to do before the procedure? Make sure you remember to bring any previous films...